Most people in my life know how much I admire Oprah. I admire her so much that I often steal her ideas. For example, I love buying products that she promotes on her annual Oprah's Favorite Things episode. I also stole her Legends Party idea when I had my own Legends Party a few years ago to celebrate the special people in my life in Chicago (To my dearest DC friends, a Legends Party is definitely long overdue). Now, I'm about to steal another idea from Oprah. Each month in her O Magazine, she always ends with a one page article titled, "What I Know for Sure". I love this section of her magazine because she shares insights about her life. I also enjoy this section because we have all had feelings of certainty in our lives, no matter how small or large. My four month trip has given me a chance to think about "What I Know For Sure"....
*I love Facebook. It's such a great tool to stay in touch with people and it gives you the opportunity to create your own web page. I love 'Status Updates' because it gives you a glimpse of your friends' every day lives and brings your far-away friends closer to you. Let's face it, it's the best stalking tool without getting arrested.
*I have a weakness for guys with bright blue eyes, dimples, and a British accent. Seriously, if you have all three of these traits and you're not a psycho, I'M ALL YOURS. Now, if this guy with these exact qualities also checks out my profile on Facebook frequently because he is so interested in me that he really wants to know everything about me, I'M ALL YOURS and I'll even learn how to cook. One more thing...diving instructors, I love you too.
*I hated my last 8 months at YB but that was the best thing that happened to me. If I still loved YB, then I would still be there right now and I wouldn't have gone on this trip. At the end of the day, YB gave me 5 and 1/2 happy years plus 8 questionable months. YB gave me a taste of what it feels like to love a job. It brought me to Chicago, the city that I love. It also provided the means for me to take this trip. Thanks to YB, it also made me want to walk away in 2008.
*I'm looking forward to my next job. This will be my new adventure of 2009. I'm looking forward to applying my passion and hard work towards something that I strongly believe in. I have new expectations for job satisfaction. Before this trip, I needed to have 100% job satisfaction or else the world was crashing and I was ready to jump off a building. For my next job, I would be completely fine with an 80% job satisfiaction level or higher. I don't want to settle for anything else than 80% but there is more to life than Corporate America. I used to not think this way.
*My "dream toys" have changed. I've always wanted to own a Porsche 911 convertible, own a nice house in the city, and have a Crib Style Walk-In closet. These things are still on my list but it's now at the bottom of my list. If it came down to it, I would give up all my possessions to travel around the world and continue to meet incredible people.
*My dream job is to be an English teacher overseas. I would teach English during the school year and then travel throughout the country during the summer before I moved on to my next country and teach English again for another school year followed by another summer of traveling throughout the country. Ideally, this cycle would be repeated over and over again.
*I am glad that I experienced this trip as an American. During my travels, people would often refer to me as "Nancy, the American" or "Nancy from Chicago" and I would see and hear so many different reactions. I couldn't help but compare Americans to people from other conturies. During these last four months, I have had so many thought provoking conversations with different people from all over the world. These conversations opened me eyes and made me appreciate the great things we have in our country but at the same time it allowed me to see our downfalls. The biggest thing that would always leave me speechless was the fact that everyone I met knew so much about U.S. history, U.S. foreign policy, PLUS world history and world foreign policy. The minute people wanted to have a political conversation I was seriously dumbfounded. These political conversations weren't meant to be negative or argumentative, just a mere exchange of our thoughts on world affairs. I'm a chatterbox but those type of topics would leave me mute. Shame on me for not knowing anything else but my life in my American Bubble. This will be one of the first things that will change in my life.
*I already miss this journey tremendously. Even though I've only been home for 2 days, I truly miss the feeling of adventure and the butterflies I would get in my stomach because I wasn't sure what was in store each day . I'll miss the feeling of seeing something new for the first time and experiencing a whole new culture. I miss the people that I have met on this journey. AHHHH, these people have really touched my heart and soul in so many ways. I already miss the person that I would be meeting tomorrow if I were still traveling. ALSO....I'm going to miss traveling with my backpack. I've come along way since the backpack and I went to Greece 4 months ago. I hated it back then and now it's been my loyal buddy that's been with me through every city. I started to call the backpack Wilson after Wilson in Castaway.
*Even though I have raved about the people that I have met on this trip, this DOES NOT take away from the incredible people I have in my life in the U.S. I couldn't have done this trip without my friends and family. I spent plenty of money at internet cafes just to read and respond to all the thoughtful emails everyday. I seriously looked like a lunatic at times because I would be laughing hysterically at the funny emails my friends would write and I would also cry when my friends were going through a tough time and I couldn't be there for them, then I would have the moments when I would have the biggest smile on my face just seeing the kind words of my friends on the screen. I'll never forget the time when I went to pay for my internet usage in Munich and the cashier said, "You were reading a love letter." I told him I didn't have a boyfriend and he was surprised because he said the smile on my face when I was reading my email was the smile of someone who was in love. I am always happy and giddy when I read emails from friends. I guess the cashier was right. I am IN love....with my friends :)
Traveling through Europe and Asia has been the best thing I've ever done. This experience has inspired me in ways that I never imagined. Right now, I have no job and I have no home to call my own. That sounds depressing. However, I don't feel down about it. I feel so fulfilled and grateful from this experience. I am in this no job/no home situation because of my incredible journey and I wouldn't trade this journey in for anything. Am I nervous about not having a job and having my own place? OF COURSE. However, for the first time in my life, I'm actually calm and I'm working through it and doing everything I can to put the pieces together. I'm looking forward to applying all the great things that I have learned on my trip to the typical crazy hustle/bustle life that I love in the U.S. I'm also looking ahead and dreaming of my next 2 week vacation.....Australia 2010?!??!?!?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My Last 13 Days....
The last 13 days of my trip have been spent in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Bangkok.
Koh Samui --- Christy, Steve, and I spent 4 days in Koh Samui (an island on the eastern shore of Thailand). Our first 2 nights were spent in Chaweng, a very popular and busy area with a lot of night life. We enjoyed our time here by taking long walks on Chaweng Beach and relaxing by the pool. Christy and Steve took a day trip to go for an elephant ride and to hang out with monkeys. Since I already went for the elephant ride with Keith in Chiang Mai, I decided to just hang out at the pool.
After our 2 nights in Chaweng, we made our way down to another region of Koh Samui and stayed at Lamai Beach. The beach in Lamai was definitely one of our favorites The water was a beautiful turquoise color and the beach was not very crowded so it made it more special. Our hotel was in a great location and we had a fantastic infinity pool that we enjoyed very much. The 3 of us are obsessed with infinity pools! The night life in Lamai was definitely not as beautiful as Lamai Beach. The night life was pretty seedy because there were so many old Westerners with these young Thai prostitues all over the place. All the bars and restaurants cater to these old Westerners by having these young Thai girls parade around the bar or dance on top of the bars. It's really a sad and unfortunate scene. It didn't ruin our fun but it made us realize that there are two different sides to Lamai....During the day time, it's absolutely picturesque. During the night time, not so much. After 2 nights in Lamai Beach, we jumped on a ferry to head north to another island.
Koh Phangan --- Koh Phangan is also on the eastern shore of Thailand and it is north of Koh Samui. Koh Phangan is famous for the Full Moon Party held each month. We were fortunate to arrive in Koh Phangan during the Full Moon time and enjoy the festivities. The Full Moon Party was on our last night in Koh Phangan so we spent the other 3 days just relaxing by the pool AGAIN! We rented a jeep to take around the island and that was definitely an interesting experience. Koh Phangan's roads are in horrible condition. It makes Chicago's pot holes look like a nice smooth basketball court compared to the roads on this island. Steve was our driver and Christy was the navigator. I just sat in the backseat. I was really impressed by Steve's driving skills and Christy's accurate navigating skills. Since everyone drives on the left side of the street in Thailand, their cars are designed to fit this driving model. Steve had to drive stick using his left hand, PLUS drive around the windy roads all over the island. I was just a passenger and it was exhausting and stressful to even go through this drive because there were so many high cliffs and the roads were so windy and bumpy. Steve was great under these circumstances and thanks to Christy, she got us to all of our scenic destination points.
The Full Moon Party is held at the Haad Rin Beach of Koh Phangan. This party attracts thousands and thousands of people from all over the world each month. We estimated that there were 6000 people at the beach celebrating the Full Moon with us. The beach has 10 different dance areas with 10 different types of music. Steve, Christy, and I danced the night away at the house music dance area. Dancing with Steve and Christy brought back a lot of fun memories that we have shared together in Chicago. We had a great time and we were glad that our schedule matched up with the Full Moon in January.
After 4 days in Koh Phangan, we flew back to Bangkok. Christy and Steve went on a shopping spree and found a lot of great crafts for their home, pretty dresses and accessories for Christy, and a new spring wardrobe for Steve. I'll never forget the look on their faces when we met up at the hotel after they bought everything. They walked into our room with a HUGE duffel bag that they had to buy because they couldn't fit their new goods into their luggage. They looked so cute because they were so happy and so giddy about their newfound stuff! They only spent 24 hours in Bangkok but that's all they needed! Christy and Steve left Bangkok on Mon night. It was really great to see them and have them enjoy this experience with me. I was so happy when we would meet new people and these new people would share their traveling experiences with us. I wanted Christy and Steve to get a glimpse of what I've been experiencing. They were both amazed (just like I was) by how much the rest of the world travels so much and embraces these life experiences. During our many meals together, Christy, Steve, and I had so many enlightening conversations about our lives in the U.S., our priorties, and what makes us happy. It was great to hear their thoughts and share our ideas to lead a more balanced life.
After Christy and Steve left, I still had 3 more days in Bangkok. I spent these last 3 days with my new friend Chris. I met Chris about a month ago when I was in Bangkok with Keith. Chris and I went our separate ways after we met but we remained in touch through Facebook. We managed to coordinate our schedules to meet up again before I left for the U.S. Chris is from England and he is traveling for 14 months. He started in India and he has been making his way through Asia and he is going to Australia and New Zealand next, then heading to Canada and the U.S. Needless to say, I'm extremely jealous of his traveling plans! Spending time with Chris has been wonderful and it was a great way for me to end my 4 month journey. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future....
My flight leaves in less than 12 hours. I will write one more blog when I get back to the U.S. with my final thoughts. Right now the big decision that I have to make is, "What am I going to have as my first meal? Steak or Mexican?" BTW....I had to get a new cell phone number. I will explain in an email when I get back and I will give you the new number in the email. I look forward to catching up with everyone soon! Your text messager is BACK!!!!!!
Koh Samui --- Christy, Steve, and I spent 4 days in Koh Samui (an island on the eastern shore of Thailand). Our first 2 nights were spent in Chaweng, a very popular and busy area with a lot of night life. We enjoyed our time here by taking long walks on Chaweng Beach and relaxing by the pool. Christy and Steve took a day trip to go for an elephant ride and to hang out with monkeys. Since I already went for the elephant ride with Keith in Chiang Mai, I decided to just hang out at the pool.
After our 2 nights in Chaweng, we made our way down to another region of Koh Samui and stayed at Lamai Beach. The beach in Lamai was definitely one of our favorites The water was a beautiful turquoise color and the beach was not very crowded so it made it more special. Our hotel was in a great location and we had a fantastic infinity pool that we enjoyed very much. The 3 of us are obsessed with infinity pools! The night life in Lamai was definitely not as beautiful as Lamai Beach. The night life was pretty seedy because there were so many old Westerners with these young Thai prostitues all over the place. All the bars and restaurants cater to these old Westerners by having these young Thai girls parade around the bar or dance on top of the bars. It's really a sad and unfortunate scene. It didn't ruin our fun but it made us realize that there are two different sides to Lamai....During the day time, it's absolutely picturesque. During the night time, not so much. After 2 nights in Lamai Beach, we jumped on a ferry to head north to another island.
Koh Phangan --- Koh Phangan is also on the eastern shore of Thailand and it is north of Koh Samui. Koh Phangan is famous for the Full Moon Party held each month. We were fortunate to arrive in Koh Phangan during the Full Moon time and enjoy the festivities. The Full Moon Party was on our last night in Koh Phangan so we spent the other 3 days just relaxing by the pool AGAIN! We rented a jeep to take around the island and that was definitely an interesting experience. Koh Phangan's roads are in horrible condition. It makes Chicago's pot holes look like a nice smooth basketball court compared to the roads on this island. Steve was our driver and Christy was the navigator. I just sat in the backseat. I was really impressed by Steve's driving skills and Christy's accurate navigating skills. Since everyone drives on the left side of the street in Thailand, their cars are designed to fit this driving model. Steve had to drive stick using his left hand, PLUS drive around the windy roads all over the island. I was just a passenger and it was exhausting and stressful to even go through this drive because there were so many high cliffs and the roads were so windy and bumpy. Steve was great under these circumstances and thanks to Christy, she got us to all of our scenic destination points.
The Full Moon Party is held at the Haad Rin Beach of Koh Phangan. This party attracts thousands and thousands of people from all over the world each month. We estimated that there were 6000 people at the beach celebrating the Full Moon with us. The beach has 10 different dance areas with 10 different types of music. Steve, Christy, and I danced the night away at the house music dance area. Dancing with Steve and Christy brought back a lot of fun memories that we have shared together in Chicago. We had a great time and we were glad that our schedule matched up with the Full Moon in January.
After 4 days in Koh Phangan, we flew back to Bangkok. Christy and Steve went on a shopping spree and found a lot of great crafts for their home, pretty dresses and accessories for Christy, and a new spring wardrobe for Steve. I'll never forget the look on their faces when we met up at the hotel after they bought everything. They walked into our room with a HUGE duffel bag that they had to buy because they couldn't fit their new goods into their luggage. They looked so cute because they were so happy and so giddy about their newfound stuff! They only spent 24 hours in Bangkok but that's all they needed! Christy and Steve left Bangkok on Mon night. It was really great to see them and have them enjoy this experience with me. I was so happy when we would meet new people and these new people would share their traveling experiences with us. I wanted Christy and Steve to get a glimpse of what I've been experiencing. They were both amazed (just like I was) by how much the rest of the world travels so much and embraces these life experiences. During our many meals together, Christy, Steve, and I had so many enlightening conversations about our lives in the U.S., our priorties, and what makes us happy. It was great to hear their thoughts and share our ideas to lead a more balanced life.
After Christy and Steve left, I still had 3 more days in Bangkok. I spent these last 3 days with my new friend Chris. I met Chris about a month ago when I was in Bangkok with Keith. Chris and I went our separate ways after we met but we remained in touch through Facebook. We managed to coordinate our schedules to meet up again before I left for the U.S. Chris is from England and he is traveling for 14 months. He started in India and he has been making his way through Asia and he is going to Australia and New Zealand next, then heading to Canada and the U.S. Needless to say, I'm extremely jealous of his traveling plans! Spending time with Chris has been wonderful and it was a great way for me to end my 4 month journey. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future....
My flight leaves in less than 12 hours. I will write one more blog when I get back to the U.S. with my final thoughts. Right now the big decision that I have to make is, "What am I going to have as my first meal? Steak or Mexican?" BTW....I had to get a new cell phone number. I will explain in an email when I get back and I will give you the new number in the email. I look forward to catching up with everyone soon! Your text messager is BACK!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Everyone! Keith, Steve, Christy, and I celebrated New Year's Eve at Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand. We were all at the beach waiting for the countown as fireworks went off in the sky. The beach scene was incredible as we were surrounded by so many people from all over the world. It was so neat to see everyone having a great time and celebrating the promise and hope of a new year. After our New Year's celebration, Christy, Steve, and I went to bed around 3 am. We were all beat and then Steve handed me the best gift: Ipod loaded with all the Gossip Girls episodes that I have missed. Even though I was beat, I managed to stay up all night to watch 6 episodes. I still had 3 episodes remaining so I wanted to save those for my flight home. I love you, Steve!
After New Year's, Keith made his way back to Bangkok to fly back to Chicago. Steve, Christy, and I decided to take a boat ride to a few of the island's special hotspots....
Monkey Beach --- A beach with monkeys roaming around! We were able to feed the monkeys and take pictures with them. Lots of fun!
Snorkeling at Phi Phi Ley --- I went diving again in Phi Phi Don before Steve and Christy arrived so this time we all went snorkeling. We enjoyed checking out the bright corral and fish swimming around us. The best part of this trip was when Steve and Christy said they definitely want to try diving in the future because they wanted to get closer to the undwater life after their snorkeling experience. I can't wait for our diving trip soon! Sarah Starr and Jason Cohen....you better join us!
Maya Beach --- This is the famous beach where they filmed "The Beach". Keith checked out this beach a few days before we did and he described it best, "It just doesn't seem real because it is THAT beautiful. It all seems made up." We all witnessed it for our own eyes and we fell in love with it too. We took so many photos but unfortunately our pictures don't convey the incredible beauty....Everyone must come here and see it!
After spending 3 days in Koh Phi Phi for Christy and Steve, 7 days for me, we started our island hopping tour of Thailand. Our next stop was Railay Beach. Railay Beach was another paradise. Railay was very nice because it was much smaller and more private. It was great to just relax and not deal with so many people everywhere. We spent 2 days here before we left for Koh Samui, an island on the east coast of Thailand. We've been here for 3 days now and we are loving every minute of it. I will write more about Koh Samui in my next blog. Right now, I want to write about my fellow traveling mates, Keith, Christy, and Steve.....
You always learn so much about someone when you are around them 24 x 7. I thought I really knew these guys because I spend a lot of time with them in Chicago. I am so comfortable with Keith, Steve, and Christy that I am completely fine just eating their leftovers off their plates. Just when I thought I really knew these guys, I was quickly reminded of new things I didn't know. The best part of a friendship is growing together and learning more about someone. I definitely have learned a lot of fun things about them these past few weeks.
KEITH aka The Gelmanator aka Button....The Gelmanator because Beaver named him this (I think). Button because my GFs from home used to call him Cute as a Button (which originated from Kate). Keith and I met through our mutual friend Dave 6 yrs ago and he was my first friend in Chicago. Keith and I couldn't be more opposite. We disagree on almost everything and the only thing we have in common is our love for clothes and Peking Gourmet. Oh, we are also from the DC Metro Area. Since we are complete opposites and we don't see eye to eye on things, I wasn't sure how everything would go on our trip together. We both wanted this trip to be great but we also had different agendas on our list. When push came to shove in Thailand, Keith was there for me when I needed him. He put aside his agenda and stepped it up for me on several occassions. Ex. He got rid of my Stage 5 Clinger...aka The Mayor. Keith could have been talking to plenty of single girls that were hanging onto him but he actually took care of my situation first before he went back to his girls. I didn't think he would but I was wrong. It's nice to be wrong sometimes.
CHRISTY aka Small Fry aka Vinny Chase....Small Fry because she's petite, under 100lbs, and in great shape. Vinny Chase because she is an actress and I'm waiting for her to make it big so that we can be a part of her Entourage. I didn't go to Cannes when I was in France a few months ago because I'm planning on going when Christy gets nominated for an award! Since Christy is petite, I told her it must be nice for her to wear a bikini any day of the year and KNOW that she'll look hot. She said that she does have issues because it is very hard to find a bikini that fits her well because she is so small. We decided to go shopping today to find her new bikinis because she usually has to order them online. When we were shopping, I couldn't help but notice the bikinis were so cute because they were so small and pretty. I felt like I was shopping for a doll. It was fun dressing up my doll Christy! Shopping with Christy made me see what she was talking about in regards to finding the right small size BUT I think the majority of us would be happy with that problem :)
STEVE aka Popper aka Stevie....Popper because his last name is Popp. Stevie knows me too well and truly gets me and my absentminded/neurotic tendencies. When he found out I was leaving for this trip, the first thing he said was, "Now Nancy, I'm going to need a copy of your passport before you leave because you know you might lose yours." I lose everything and Steve knows this and he is always one step behind me picking up anything I leave behind like my cell phone, wallet, purse, etc. We are basically like Hansel and Gretel since Hansel would pick up the bread crumbs that Gretel left behind. I thought I knew Steve pretty well but here's another little tidbit.....Steve sleeps with his clothes on. Not his PJs, but his clothes that he wears out at night. He says he only does this in the summer when he is wearing shorts. Ex. Since it's hotter than hell in Thailand we are obviously wearing summer clothes here. Steve went to bed wearing his cargo shorts, polo shirt, and his belt! When I woke up in the morning, I thought he just passed out that way so I didn't think anything of it. Well, I saw him do it again the next night so I asked him and he said, "Yeah Nance, I just sleep in my clothes." Interesting........
Keith, Christy, and Steve are also finding out about my quirks too....Even though Keith and I have probably shared over 100 meals in the last 6 years, he was amazed and shocked by how much I eat while we've been on the trip. He has been encouraging me to enter an Eating Contest. Steve and Christy have now witnessed my Early Morning routine when I get up and disappear for a few hours. My gal pals from DC know this about me all too well. The funny thing about my Early Morning routine is the different responses that I got from Keith, Christy, and Steve. Keith told me, "Don't wake me up when you leave. Just leave quietly." Christy and Steve told me, "Wake us before you leave. We want to go with you!" Thanks guys for a great time in Thailand! You guys brought Chicago with you and I'm looking forward to going back to Chicago soon!!!
After New Year's, Keith made his way back to Bangkok to fly back to Chicago. Steve, Christy, and I decided to take a boat ride to a few of the island's special hotspots....
Monkey Beach --- A beach with monkeys roaming around! We were able to feed the monkeys and take pictures with them. Lots of fun!
Snorkeling at Phi Phi Ley --- I went diving again in Phi Phi Don before Steve and Christy arrived so this time we all went snorkeling. We enjoyed checking out the bright corral and fish swimming around us. The best part of this trip was when Steve and Christy said they definitely want to try diving in the future because they wanted to get closer to the undwater life after their snorkeling experience. I can't wait for our diving trip soon! Sarah Starr and Jason Cohen....you better join us!
Maya Beach --- This is the famous beach where they filmed "The Beach". Keith checked out this beach a few days before we did and he described it best, "It just doesn't seem real because it is THAT beautiful. It all seems made up." We all witnessed it for our own eyes and we fell in love with it too. We took so many photos but unfortunately our pictures don't convey the incredible beauty....Everyone must come here and see it!
After spending 3 days in Koh Phi Phi for Christy and Steve, 7 days for me, we started our island hopping tour of Thailand. Our next stop was Railay Beach. Railay Beach was another paradise. Railay was very nice because it was much smaller and more private. It was great to just relax and not deal with so many people everywhere. We spent 2 days here before we left for Koh Samui, an island on the east coast of Thailand. We've been here for 3 days now and we are loving every minute of it. I will write more about Koh Samui in my next blog. Right now, I want to write about my fellow traveling mates, Keith, Christy, and Steve.....
You always learn so much about someone when you are around them 24 x 7. I thought I really knew these guys because I spend a lot of time with them in Chicago. I am so comfortable with Keith, Steve, and Christy that I am completely fine just eating their leftovers off their plates. Just when I thought I really knew these guys, I was quickly reminded of new things I didn't know. The best part of a friendship is growing together and learning more about someone. I definitely have learned a lot of fun things about them these past few weeks.
KEITH aka The Gelmanator aka Button....The Gelmanator because Beaver named him this (I think). Button because my GFs from home used to call him Cute as a Button (which originated from Kate). Keith and I met through our mutual friend Dave 6 yrs ago and he was my first friend in Chicago. Keith and I couldn't be more opposite. We disagree on almost everything and the only thing we have in common is our love for clothes and Peking Gourmet. Oh, we are also from the DC Metro Area. Since we are complete opposites and we don't see eye to eye on things, I wasn't sure how everything would go on our trip together. We both wanted this trip to be great but we also had different agendas on our list. When push came to shove in Thailand, Keith was there for me when I needed him. He put aside his agenda and stepped it up for me on several occassions. Ex. He got rid of my Stage 5 Clinger...aka The Mayor. Keith could have been talking to plenty of single girls that were hanging onto him but he actually took care of my situation first before he went back to his girls. I didn't think he would but I was wrong. It's nice to be wrong sometimes.
CHRISTY aka Small Fry aka Vinny Chase....Small Fry because she's petite, under 100lbs, and in great shape. Vinny Chase because she is an actress and I'm waiting for her to make it big so that we can be a part of her Entourage. I didn't go to Cannes when I was in France a few months ago because I'm planning on going when Christy gets nominated for an award! Since Christy is petite, I told her it must be nice for her to wear a bikini any day of the year and KNOW that she'll look hot. She said that she does have issues because it is very hard to find a bikini that fits her well because she is so small. We decided to go shopping today to find her new bikinis because she usually has to order them online. When we were shopping, I couldn't help but notice the bikinis were so cute because they were so small and pretty. I felt like I was shopping for a doll. It was fun dressing up my doll Christy! Shopping with Christy made me see what she was talking about in regards to finding the right small size BUT I think the majority of us would be happy with that problem :)
STEVE aka Popper aka Stevie....Popper because his last name is Popp. Stevie knows me too well and truly gets me and my absentminded/neurotic tendencies. When he found out I was leaving for this trip, the first thing he said was, "Now Nancy, I'm going to need a copy of your passport before you leave because you know you might lose yours." I lose everything and Steve knows this and he is always one step behind me picking up anything I leave behind like my cell phone, wallet, purse, etc. We are basically like Hansel and Gretel since Hansel would pick up the bread crumbs that Gretel left behind. I thought I knew Steve pretty well but here's another little tidbit.....Steve sleeps with his clothes on. Not his PJs, but his clothes that he wears out at night. He says he only does this in the summer when he is wearing shorts. Ex. Since it's hotter than hell in Thailand we are obviously wearing summer clothes here. Steve went to bed wearing his cargo shorts, polo shirt, and his belt! When I woke up in the morning, I thought he just passed out that way so I didn't think anything of it. Well, I saw him do it again the next night so I asked him and he said, "Yeah Nance, I just sleep in my clothes." Interesting........
Keith, Christy, and Steve are also finding out about my quirks too....Even though Keith and I have probably shared over 100 meals in the last 6 years, he was amazed and shocked by how much I eat while we've been on the trip. He has been encouraging me to enter an Eating Contest. Steve and Christy have now witnessed my Early Morning routine when I get up and disappear for a few hours. My gal pals from DC know this about me all too well. The funny thing about my Early Morning routine is the different responses that I got from Keith, Christy, and Steve. Keith told me, "Don't wake me up when you leave. Just leave quietly." Christy and Steve told me, "Wake us before you leave. We want to go with you!" Thanks guys for a great time in Thailand! You guys brought Chicago with you and I'm looking forward to going back to Chicago soon!!!
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